While the new series Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi is about to go out Disney+ by the end of the month, many fans are impatiently waiting to be able to find Ewan McGregor in the title role, as well as Hayden Christensenwho will return to embody the character of dark Vador/Anakin Skywalker. And if we already know that this series will be an opportunity to see familiar faces again while discovering newcomers, a recent declaration by a iconic actor of the saga Star Wars suggests that fans could also witness the return of an equally cult character.
the great return of the dark lord of the sith?
With the development of the extended universe of Star Wars, the franchise continues to prosper, thus allowing certain actors to sign their great return in the universe initially created by George Lucas. And justly, Ian McDiarmid, veteran of Star Wars having played Emperor Palpatine, aka Darth Sidiousthroughout the Skywalker saga, may well make a comeback this year.
As reported Star Wars News NetMcDiarmid recently made an appearance at the Imperial Commissary Collectors Convention (ICCC), during which the British actor discussed the possibility of reprising his role as Emperor Palpatine. He then said:
There’s a certain series coming soon that takes place during a time when my character is quite active… Whether you can see me physically or not, I can’t comment on that, but know that you will definitely feel my presence.
If a lot of fans then think McDiarmid is probably referring to the show Obi-Wan Kenobi which will soon be broadcast on Disney+, it could also refer to the next series Andorprequel to the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).
Although McDiarmid’s statement suggests his character may not physically appear in either series.it seems that he is involved in the future of Star Wars in a certain way. There are many ways Palpatine could potentially manifest in series like Obi-Wan Kenobi Where Andorwhether through dialogue or a semi-physical appearance via a hologram, but what fans hope above all is that the terrible Emperor makes a cameo in person.
contexts conducive to his return?
Whatever, both series take place in a period when Palpatine’s powers were at their peak, between the events of the prequel trilogy and those of the original trilogy, which therefore means that its influence will probably be omnipresent. Series Obi-Wan Kenobi will take place ten years after the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). As for Andorthe series will be set approximately five years before the events of the film RogueOnewhich itself takes place just before those of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977).
Palpatine’s appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi wouldn’t be so surprising then, because in addition to the long-awaited return of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, the series will also see the return of Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker, Palpatine’s Sith apprentice and Obi-Wan’s former Jedi apprentice. If McDiarmid does appear on the show, then it would be his first on-screen reunion alongside Christensen since Revenge of the Sith.
Additionally, McDiarmid previously hinted at the idea of Palpatine making a sequel appearance. Obi-Wan Kenobi. During an interview with Metro earlier this year, the actor had made this declaration, in reference to the events from the movie Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019):
I think I have to accept that, thanks to my ungrateful granddaughter, my annihilation has finally been final. [Mais] of course Vader is back in the new series [Obi-Wan Kenobi]so I guess it’s not impossible that one day we’ll discover his mentor lurking in the shadows again.
That said, there’s some evidence to suggest that Palpatine might also be lurking behind the scenes atAndor, where Diego Luna who will reprise the role of Captain Cassian Andorwhich first appeared in RogueOne. According to the latest rumors, the series Andor will feature the Emperor’s Royal Guard, none other than Palpatine’s personal security detail, as well as Mas Amedda, an ally of the Dark Lord of the Sith who helped him set up his Galactic Empire. However, this in no way guarantees an appearance in person by the Emperor..
a ubiquitous character throughout much of the story
McDiarmid played the role of the Emperor for the first time in the movie Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), after the character was portrayed by Marjorie Eaton and Clive Revill in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Palpatine’s version played by McDiarmid was later added to the 2004 DVD release from Episode V, featuring an edited version of the original trilogy that brought many changes, some of which were highly controversial with fans.
The actor reprized his role in the prequel, playing the character in all three films from 1999 to 2005. And more recently, he reprized the role once again in The Rise of Skywalkerthe third and final film in the Star Wars postlogy, in which fans learned that Palpatine was none other than the grandfather of Rey, played by Daisy Ridley. The British actor also lent his voice to the character in episodes of the animated series star wars rebelsand we can also hear his voice in The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch.
The first two episodes of the next series Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on Disney+ on May 27 this year. As for Andor, the series is expected later this year, with the latest rumors pointing to a release around August 2022.
And to continue in the same theme, check out this new Star Wars animated series that was recently confirmedjust here.